Alekper Aliyev’s book “Artush and Zaur”, which tells the story of love between an Azerbaijani and an Armenian and their separation due to the Karabakh conflict, was published in 500 copies. 150 books were sold in a month. In an interview with the BBC Russian Service, the author of the novel noted that this was a record circulation for Azerbaijan. “This is funny, but this is a good circulation for non-reading Azerbaijan. This hasn’t happened in Azerbaijan for twenty years,” said Aliyev, adding that 150 copies sold was also a great success. The book became the subject of heated discussion in Azerbaijan. The author, whose book only one private publishing house agreed to publish, was accused of lack of patriotism, cynicism and depravity. The reason was not only that the main characters are gay, but also their nationality. The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over control of Nagorno-Karabakh has still not been resolved. The Caucasian Information Service writes that in connection with the release of the novel, attacks began on Aliyev from various sides, including from religious figures. “I am known as a scandalous person, as a scandalous writer, so I am no stranger to it. But such a squall, of course, has never happened before... This is impossible! We don't have gays. Even if there is, then he will never, under any circumstances, go to bed with an Armenian,” the author answers with a laugh. Note that in Azerbaijan, homosexual relations ceased to be a criminal offense only in 2000. Today, only one organization in the country deals with the problems of gays and lesbians - the Association of Gender Development and Education, which began its work in 2006. Soon after the novel arrived in bookstores in Baku, the police banned its sale. The Ali and Nino book chain, which sold the book, was closed for several days. According to Alekper Aliyev, his book tells about the consequences of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and homosexual history is just a background.

Alekper Aliyev’s book “Artush and Zaur” about the same-sex love of an Azerbaijani and an Armenian has become the subject of heated discussion in Azerbaijan. The author was accused of lack of patriotism, cynicism and debauchery. The plot of the novel is simple: the Armenian Artush and the Azerbaijani Zaur lived together in Baku, went to school together, but at the very time when feelings flared up between them, the Karabakh conflict began. And Artush was forced to flee to Armenia, while Zaur mourns his lost love, wandering sadly through the streets of Baku.